AQUAFINA Water and Ice Inc was established in 2018 and locally trademarked in 2021. Seven years later and boosted by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) ‘Made in Guyana’ Standards Mark, the company has since been transformed into a trusted name in purified water delivery and services.

According to a press release, the proprietor of the company, Rajiv Latchana, indicated that it has always been a dream to start his own business.

“I was a manager at an exploration company for nine years, and then I resigned and fulfilled a small dream of mine of owning my business,” he said.

Asked why he chose to get into the business of packaging and delivering water and ice, Latchana said he noticed a gap in the local market.

Armed with basic knowledge, the relevant training from the Food and Drug Department and a drive to build something of his own, he made the leap.

In December 2022, the company was successfully certified by the GNBS under the Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme and has successfully renewed its certificate every year thereafter.  Under the certification programme, the company obtained approval to use the ‘Made in Guyana’ Standards Mark on its 500ml, 1.5L, and five-gallon bottles of water.

For the certification mark, the proprietor noted that it has proven to be more than just a label, delivering measurable benefits.

“We had a discussion with management, and we crafted a statement of our own to say what we think should be our motto. We then thought of what we are looking to achieve, and it is building consumer trust and market credibility. This aligns with what the GNBS offers, and hence, we signed up for certification,” he said.

Latchana added that upon becoming certified, “feedback was 100% (positive) from various entities; we are seeing a surge in new companies coming on board; our business has widened a bit to supply more companies in the oil and gas sector, and you know, we move from there.”

In addition, from its main base in Non-Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), the company now delivers up to 5,300 gallons of bulk-purified water to homes, pools, construction sites, and commercial properties.

The business maintains strict processes to prevent cross-contamination, with separate systems for drinking water and industrial uses.

Now, the company is preparing to open its second location at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

The proprietor encourages other businesses to obtain certification from the GNBS. He noted that the process is smooth, and the programme helps to lift the overall level of quality in Guyana.

“The process was smooth, no problem; if there are any issues, we fix it right there and then. For extended issues, we requested time, and the officers came back and conducted their assessment, and it was an easy step-by-step process,” Latchana said.

Given their laudable experience with the GNBS team, the businessman said he continues to recommend the programme to other businesses.

“I remember a friend of mine wanted the contact of GNBS, and I said to go into them and get the information, and now he’s Made In Guyana certified…I noticed that everything was published via social media, and I called and messaged him at the same time, saying, ‘Congrats, you did it!’ he recalled.

For consumers and commercial clients alike, the GNBS certification has become a mark of assurance — especially in industries such as food and beverage, where quality and safety are paramount.

“GNBS gave us structure, visibility, and trust. It’s something I’d recommend to any local business serious about growth,” Latchana said.

As more small and medium-sized businesses in Guyana look to scale, the example set by this water-purification company highlights just how far local certification can take them.

The application form, along with the detailed requirements of the GNBS Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme, and the process of acquiring the Made in Guyana Standards Mark can be found on the GNBS website https: https://gnbsgy.org/certification/made-in-guyana-certification/